The Running/Keeping Fit Thread

[Fosterbloke]

I miss my Fitbit Iconic, it displayed exactly the stats that motivated me to exercise and keep moving. Sleep stats were the best in the business too.

I currently wear an Apple Watch SE and while it's an excellent smar****ch, it's not really the motivator I thought it would be compared to the Fitbit.

[Rigadon]

any recommendations on a smart watch? wanted for swimming/running/gym. Not pro by any stretch. Just something decent, thinking Polar M2 or Galaxy watch 3.

I have the Garmin Forerunner 735XT. Very good watch. Use it for running, swimming and gym. Prefer it to my Apple Watch 6 for fitness. The latest Garmin Forerunner 745 looks good...

https://buy.garmin.com/en-AU/AU/p/713363

[Norbs]

I've lost so much cardio fitness in the last year, I'm blaming long covid but it's probably not that.

Signed up to a couch to 5km training session on iFit and am very slowly picking up. Getting orthotics fitted is helping too as my back isn't feeling the strain. I've a lot of weight to lose, probably 3st

[Fredo]

Picked up running again from around mid last year. Got myself fit to run a 5k in 24mins or so last September, then started training for a 10k but got set back with a calf strain in Nov., so had to stop for around 6 weeks. Picked it up again beginning of Jan and I've just completed week 6 of an 8 week 10k training block, with a race scheduled 1st week of March. So cross fingers I can run that 10k in 47/48 mins, that's the plan.

Also lost around 8kgs in the process.

[Buzzo]

Nice mate. How did you get started?

I want to start running again, start couch to 5k, typically do the first few weeks and then life gets in the way.

Ideally I need to lose about 8kg also

[Fredo]

I was always a bit of a runner, but there was no consistency or purpose in my bouts of running, so always picked up niggles here and there and just never got going, despite always having had the stamina to run well.

So last year I decided to try and sort it out, got myself a Garmin watch and started with 1 of their training plans (think it was a 10 week block of training), followed it then found myself getting hooked to the whole science behind running, so kept going and I've been loving it.

Now I can train 4 times a week without injuries (apart from picking up that stupid calf strain last year), but got myself a rehab plan and feel stronger now. Just reading about it all, helps as well, as it keeps you interested in the matter. The science behind it is fascinating.

I've never done a couch to 5k plan, but it helped having a good watch with all the bells and whistles + training plan. 5k is the ideal distance to start as well, take it easy and see how it goes. You'll lose well in no time if you keep the consistency. I've packed up drinking as well, for the most part and found it helped. I haven't had an alcoholic drink since Christmas.

[Buzzo]

Yeah, 5k is definitely a good starting point.

I ran a couple of marathons back in the day (2002 and 2003) and I guess it is very much getting into the routine of training. Finding the time is the key for me.

[Fredo]

Working from home has massively opened up time in my schedule. Never had the time when I was commuting into and out of London every day, but now I can do my running in the morning and start work around 10:15. I've got no kids, so it massively helps as well.

Wish you good luck man, if you do start to train. Get Strava and we can follow each other to get some motivation.

[Norbs]

I've not needed a couch to 5k before, I've been able to run 6k straight off the bat but age has finally caught up with me it seems

47mins 10k is pretty impressive, as is marathon running

[Fosterbloke]

I'm getting better on the bike

https://www.strava.com/activities/6708736291

[little dave hedgehog]

anyone ever managed to keep up their cardio with a broken arm?

[Alex]

Picked up running again from around mid last year. Got myself fit to run a 5k in 24mins or so last September, then started training for a 10k but got set back with a calf strain in Nov., so had to stop for around 6 weeks. Picked it up again beginning of Jan and I've just completed week 6 of an 8 week 10k training block, with a race scheduled 1st week of March. So cross fingers I can run that 10k in 47/48 mins, that's the plan.

Also lost around 8kgs in the process.

I too picked it up round the time I found out I had crazy high BP. But the baby stopped sleeping and work got crazy and it all went away.

The motivation to do the first run is difficult. Good work on yours though, its really impressive. I have never run a 10k and it was always my aim.

[Norbs]

I've run a few 10ks and it feels a mental length of time to be running. Half and full marathons must feel endless

[Slinky Skills]

Did a 10k in 48 minutes about ten years ago, no ****ing chance of that happening again now lol. Have just started doing the NHS C25K, really enjoying running again.

[Fredo]

Did my 10k today in Richmond Park (London). Very hilly and managed 48:25 which I'm happy about. Next target is to run a flatter course, maybe under 48:00, then maybe try for <45:00 or a half marathon, still undecided. Don't really have time to train for half marathon, as the training can be a couple of hours long.